Results 8,561-8,580 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday 8 September following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: With the huge increase in investment in Garda resources under this Government, I am satisfied that Garda strength and technology is adequate to meet the challenges of modern society. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The precise information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. The compilation of these statistics would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort to prepare and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. Typically the temporary releases would be of short duration when the prisoner is...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his question today (reference number 31069/06) in relation to numbers, technology and resources generally available to An Garda Síochána. Specifically in relation to combating drug crime, I may add that the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 specifies a number of supply reduction targets for An Garda Síochána in terms of all drug seizures and the Gardaí...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that legislation providing for the issue of fixed charge notices requires that motorists detected for committing certain offences be issued with a fixed charge notice. The notice sets out the amount of the fixed charge and the penalty points applicable to the offence. The person has the option to pay the fixed charge and, as part of the payment...

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my replies to a series of parliamentary questions which he asked earlier this year and in particular my reply to his written Question No. 468 of 27 June 2006. Since then a comprehensive reply to these queries issued to him from my office on 20 September 2006. By way of background, it should be noted that the effect of a deportation order when served on a person is that...

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Of course I noted that in a rather derivative way the Deputy thought that he could ask the same questions of me that Charles Clarke was asked as British Home Secretary leading to particular embarrassment for himself. However, the Deputy should have consulted the Statute Book and realised that a very different legal position pertained in Britain in that the Judiciary there could order...

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is central to the issue.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should stop bluffing and shouting.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is central to the issue.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should let me answer the question instead of just shouting. In Britain, the Judiciary is entitled to order deportations and it transpired that the Home Office was not following up on that. In Ireland, the Judiciary has no such power. It can make a recommendation——

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: —— which is an entirely different matter as the Deputy well knows. The Deputy asked for the number of non-EEA people who were prisoners at the relevant time. Some 662 people were convicted of offences of whom 150 have been deported, a further 127 have not been deported and are legally resident in the State, the situation of a further 108 is under consideration as to whether they will be...

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should listen to the point; his obfuscation is pathetic. She might have a conviction in those circumstances.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Why does the Deputy keep shouting? He does not want to hear the truth.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will try to answer it if the Deputy will stop shouting. The non-EEA national mother of a family with a conviction would be eligible for deportation and would fit into the figures I have supplied. However, it would be plainly wrong to deport or even consider deporting a person in those circumstances if her husband and children were law-abiding people legally resident in the State. Instead...

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should finally sit down and let me answer his question. I have given the Deputy the figures and as he well knows, 662 people would have been eligible for deportation under the relevant section, 150 were deported, 127 were not deported and are legally resident in the State and 108 are under consideration. Therefore, 258 out of 662 have been considered or are being considered for...

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy's party's focus groups may find some evidence for the proposition that being hard on migration makes good politics. However, I must make reasonable decisions about real-life situations.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I must deal with the shoplifting mother who would be eligible for deportation under this provision.

Deportation Orders. (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I make fair decisions.